Democracy and Economic Growth: the role of the I.L.O.: An abbreviated version of an address given in Accra on 15 December 1969, by Dr C. Wilfred Jenks, who has since been elected Director-General of the International Labour Office, Geneva

In: The journal of modern African studies: a quarterly survey of politics, economics & related topics in contemporary Africa, Band 8, Heft 2, S. 293-296

Abstract

Throughout the developing world today the accent is upon economic growth. No reasonable man can question this emphasis while inequalities among nations, and inequalities within nations, remain so glaring. Inevitable and healthy as this may be, it raises one fundamental question, Growth for what? Growth for growth's sake? Growth for those astute enough to profit from it? Or growth as an essential concomitant of political stability and social justice for the whole community? There are other searching questions. Is democracy compatible with economic growth? Are human rights and civil liberties, free enterprise and free trade unionism, compatible with growth? Where they conflict, which comes first? or what reasonable compromise can be made?